About OCC

Founded in 1863, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates, and supervises all national banks and federal savings associations. The OCC also supervises the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The OCC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with four district offices and numerous field offices located throughout the United States. The OCC also has an office in London to supervise the international activities of national banks. The OCC's nationwide staff of bank examiners, primarily located in the field offices, conducts on-site reviews of national banks and federal savings associations to carry out its mission.

In regulating national banks and federal savings associations, the OCC has the power to:

Examine the national banks and federal savings associations.
Approve or deny applications for new charters, branches, capital, or other changes in corporate or banking structure.
Take supervisory actions against national banks and federal savings associations that do not comply with laws and regulations or that otherwise engage in unsound practices.
Remove officers and directors, negotiate agreements to change banking practices, and issue cease and desist orders as well as civil money penalties.
Issue rules and regulations, legal interpretations, and corporate decisions governing investments, lending, and other practices.

The OCC's has four primary objectives that support the agency's mission to ensure a stable and competitive system of national banks and federal savings associations:

Ensure safety and soundness.
Foster competition by allowing new products and services to be offered.
Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OCC supervision, including reducing regulatory burden.
Ensure fair and equal access to financial services for all Americans.

For more information about the OCC, log on to our Web site at www.occ.gov or contact the OCC's Communications Division at (202) 874-4700.

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